Manufacturing and inventory environments require a wide variety of labeling for individual products, inventory receiving, warehouse storage locations, product containers, shipping containers and pallets. Each company has unique labeling requirements.

Effective label printing is a complex process that combines label design software, a user-friendly operator interface, thermal label printers, bar codes, physical application of the label and integration with the primary accounting system.

Data collection applications use portable devices that incorporate a bar code scanner, keyboard and a small screen. During receiving, shipping, production or product movement activities, bar codes are scanned from labels and additional data may be keyboarded.

Data collection frequently incorporates radio (RF) connectivity from each portable device to the host application to provide immediate transaction updating.

Automated assembly and production control environments frequently integrate with a PLC, vision camera, scale, sensor, robotic or palletizer on a conveyor line.

When a print-and-apply unit is required in this production environment, a "Middleware" application is needed to respond to the various serial and digital signals.

The Middleware application can also interface with the primary manufacturing or accounting system.

FDA monitored manufacturing and packaging environments require labeling applications that meet the FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 guidelines.

Pharmaceutical production lines can not be activated until they are FDA audited and validated. The associated labeling applications frequently include Middleware design elements outlined in our Packaging and Production Control section.